Pinoy impersonator named as first ‘Elvis of Asia’

If not for his name, one would think that this Filipino is Elvis Presley’s reincarnation.

With his accurate sideburns and bejeweled outfit, Jun Espinosa won the crowd and judges’ hearts to be named as the “Elvis of Asia”.

Espinosa bested 22 other Presley impersonators from the Philippines, Thailand, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia and Australia in the finals night of First Elvis Presley of Asia Contest 2017 with his rendition of the King of Rock n’ Roll’s hit song “Burning Love”.

“[It is] fitting to thank all the contestants who came from different Asian countries, not to compete but to pay tribute to King Elvis Presley. This is for all of us to cherish,” Espinosa said in a Facebook post after the competition.

As the first Elvis of Asia, Espinosa won a free premium trip to Graceland, a mansion in Tennessee that was owned by the iconic star.

The contest was held to commemorate the 40th death anniversary of the icon, the voice behind “Can’t Help Falling In Love”, “Jailhouse Rock”, and “Suspicious Minds”.

“His music is timeless. Every generation can enjoy his music because it is so natural and it is so awesome and great. That is king Elvis,” said Espinosa, who works as a network leadership executive counselor in the Philippines.

Photo credit: Jhana Galvan, Sue McCasland